A Book About God [Hardcover]

Florence Mary Fitch (Author), Henri Sorensen (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Many children wonder about God and wish that they could see Him. Using simple concepts, this non-denominational book gently introduces children to the concept of God.'

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-Originally published in 1953 (Lothrop) and newly illustrated, this is a sweetly eloquent, simply expressed, nondenominational discussion of God. He is as bright as the day and restful as the night, as strength-giving as the sun, as essential as the air we breath, as nourishing as the rain, as protective as the mountains, and as mysterious as the sea. Everything beautiful is a reflection of God, whose love is limitless. Each concept is splendidly illustrated by a realistic, double-page oil painting of a lovely outdoor scene: boys running joyfully through a flowery meadow, frogs resting contentedly on blooming lily pads, kittens frolicking playfully in a grassy field, and swans and cygnets gliding gracefully on a rain-spattered pond. Together, the text and pictures create a mood of serenity, majesty, and beauty.
Patricia Pearl Dole, formerly at First Presbyterian School, Martinsville, VA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Ages 3^-8. In her text, first published in 1953, Fitch attempts to explain the unexplainable, to convey the essence of God by comparing God to nature. She compares God to air, to the mountains, to the sea: "The sea that on the surface / moves as it will / But deep down is quiet and still and full of mystery. / God is like the sea." The text succeeds admirably, though congregations preferring a less masculine interpretation of God will wish that the editors of the new edition had not relied so heavily on "he." Sorensen's oil paintings capture the majesty and beauty evoked by the text, their spaciousness and rich texture filling every page to the edges. He includes people of many different races in his paintings, but it is always the landscapes that dominate. A fine choice for the religion shelf. Susan Dove Lempke

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 24 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (March 24, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688161286
• ISBN-13: 978-0688161286
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 9.3 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,549,082 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good introduction for children to learn about God, April 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: A Book About God (Hardcover)

"Everyone wonders about God...We think about Him and wish we could see Him, but we don't need to see God to know what He is like."

Thus begins, "A Book About God," a simple and beautifully illustrated story that explains God by comparing Him to things that are like Him and His love - the sky, the air, the sun, the rain, the sea - all things beautiful. The author paints a picture of a God who is loving, protective, gentle and always present - even when He can't be seen. The illustrations are beautiful depictions of nature.

The book is non-sectarian but some readers may find the reference to God as a "he" to be problematic. However, "A Book About God" is a good beginning point for a subject that many children wonder and ask about and which is not easily explained or defined.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Deserves Many More Than 5 Stars, January 2, 2002

By 

Sunisurekick "sunisurekick" (Buenos Aires, Argentina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Book About God (Hardcover)

The power in this book lies not only in its beautiful, oversized illustrations which fill out the entirety of its pages (11.25 x 9.53), but also in its well chosen words which describe God in terms that are understandable by children. This book is worthy of highest honors for its illustrations and the author provides a text which paints pictures with words which are ample accompaniment. It is important for parents of young children to begin the discussion of God and this compelling book provides a guide to admiring the beauty of His creation in a form that can be held in one's hands. It is non-sectarian. This book deserves many more than 5 stars. It has not received the attention it deserves.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book!, September 15, 2008

By 

Mary H. Welker-tolla (Woodland, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Book About God (Library Binding)

I found this book in the library and immediately loved it and ordered it both for my 2 1/2 year old son and my 1 1/2 year old nephew for his (Greek Orthodox)baptism. It is very loving and beautiful. It approaches the topic of God broadly. I really think that it can be meaningful for both religious and non-religious (but spiritual) people. It is somewhat nature centered but without being too "hippy-ish". It affirms good morals and is simple but not dumbed down. I'm so happy that I found this book!